Safety-clip for leaf-springs.



D. F. OLIVER.

SAFETY CLIP FOR LEAF SPRINGS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 13. 1915 Patented Jan. 11, 1916.

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DOCTOR FRANKLIN OLIVER, OF OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA.

SAFETY-CLIP FOR LEAF-SPRINGS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. ii, isle.

Application filed February 13, 1915. Serial Ito. 8,049.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Docron F. OLIVER, a citizen of the United States residing at Oakland, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Safety-Clips for Leaf Springs, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in reinforcements for leaf springs, and the primary object of the invention is to provide means for reinforcing the spring in such manner that rebound or upward movement thereof will. be relieved so as to prevent breakage of the springs.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a spring reinforcement which also acts to prevent undue strain on the leaves especially at the point of termination of an upward leaf with relation to the next adiacent underlying leaf. and also to provide a reinforcement which does not affect the resiliency of the spring.

In the drawings: Figure l is a side elevation partly in section showing the present invention applied to a cantaliver spring; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the form of the invention employed with a. full elliptic spring; Fig. 3 is a similar view of a half elliptic spring equipped with the present invention: Fig. 4: is a top plan view of Fig. 3: and Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5- 5 of Fig. 3.

In proceeding in accordance with thepresent invention a relatively thin piece of steel 1 of a width equal to the width of a leaf spring is employed. the strip being given a cur ature corresponding to that of the spring and having one end thereof bent around the usual eve 2 of the main leaf 3 of the leaf spring. The opposite end of the spring strip 1 is split as indicated at l so as to form a pair of prongs 5. the latter being bent into close engagement with the side edges of the leaf spring and being turned inwardly at 6 so as to snugly engage the under face of the main leaf 3. It will be apparent that the spring strip 1 extends over the free ends of the upper leaves 7 of the leaf spring and snugly engages the several leaves as clearly shown in the drawings. By reason of the body of the spring plate 1 extending over the ends of the upper leaves 7. and by virtue of the prongs 5 engaging the sides of all of the upper leaves 7 as well as the sides of the main leaf 3, it will be seen that the reinforcement is effective inasmuch as all of the leaves act Jointly in resisting any strain as well as the tendency to relatively separate or break upon the upward or rebound action of the springs. The leaves of the spring are permitted to slide freely upon each other as usual, but at the same time the shock of rebound is absorbed by the present invention and undue strain is prevented.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1 which is especially adaptable for cantaliver springs I employ tie bolts 8 which clamp the reinforcement l to the aXle A of the vehicle, and, also form the spring strip with a curved extension 9 which extends rearwardly toward the vehicle body 13 and is secured thereto by means of bolts 10.

In all forms of the invention the spring plate 1 is secured at its ends to the spring so that up or down movement of the plate 1 is prevented whereby upon rebound the ends of the plate 1 will arrest any sudden movement of the spring leaves to normal, such as might cause one or more of the leaves to snap. The extension 9 may be entirely omitted however. as it does not assist in performance of the function of the spring plate 1.

The important feature of the invention is that of the plate 1 retaining the leaves in their respective relation upon rebound, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

What is claimed is:

1. A safety clip for leaf springs comprising a spring plate engaged over the tops of the ends of each of the leaves of the springs and having its inner end secured to the spring so as to prevent up or down movement of the plate relative to the spring leaves and having its other end extending over and throughout the length of the free outer end portion of the main leaf and secured thereto. 2. A safety clip for leaf springs consistmg of a spring plate superimposed upon each of the ends of the spring and having one end thereof secured to the outer free end of the main leaf of the spring and having means at its opposite end for engagement with the sides of the leaves and with the under face of the main leaf.

3. A safety clip for leaf springs consisting of a spring member overlying the leaves at each of the ends of the latter and connected thereto at each of its ends whereby to prevent up or down movement of the member relative to the leaves, the outer end of the member extending throughout the length of the free outer end portion of the main leaf.

4. A safety clip for leaf springs consisting of a spring plate overlying the leaves at the end of the latter and having one end connected to the main leaf and having its opposite end bifurcated to form prongs which latter engage the sides of the leaves and have inwardly extending portions which engage beneath the main leaf.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

DOCTOR FRANKLIN OLIVER.

Witnesses EDW. McDoUeALL, E. BOWEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

